ALAPPUZHA: Nine persons were injured in a clash between the colony residents and Karilakulangara police that occured during patrolling. The incident happened at Ward 9 in Cheppad Panchayath, Haripad around 1 am yesterday. Three people were arrested in the incident.

According to the colony residents, the clash occured when the patrolling team questioned a young man Anuraj who was standing near his house along with a friend. When he said that he is standing in front of the house, the police didn't like it and they took the keys of the vehicle. When Anuraj was about to be taken away in a police jeep, his mother Ragini intervened. The clash erupted when Anuraj's paternal uncle's children Shruthi, Sarath Babu, Ajith Babu and his relative Vishwaprasad arrived there.

Shruthi, who was attacked is currently under treatment at Haripad taluk hospital. She says that she and her mother was pushed down and dragged by the police.

But the police had a different version to tell. They said that they were doing their patrolling duty and only questioned people seen in suspicious circumstances. They noted down the vehicle number of people who asked when did police have the authority to enter the colony. However, the colony residents stopped the police jeep, took away the keys and beat up about five policemen, alleging that they had taken the keys to the scooter. Subsequently, more police led by Kayamkulam DYSP reached the spot and took Sarath Babu, Ajit Babu and Vishwaprasad into custody. A case has been registered against eight persons.